What the CQC found at Polebank Hall Residential Care Home

Staffing levels were based on people's needs. Inspectors saw staff responding promptly to help people move, use the toilet, and eat and drink.

“We observed people being supported in a timely manner with tasks such as mobilising around the home, being assisted to the toilet and being supported to eat and drink.” from the report

People, relatives and healthcare professionals spoke positively about the care. Inspectors observed privacy, dignity, choice and respectful support.

“During the inspection we saw people being treated with dignity and respect by staff.” from the report

Care plans included people's care needs, risks, life histories and preferences. The home also used signs and photographs to help people living with dementia find their way around.

“This meant staff had access to person centred information about people who lived at the home.” from the report

People could join in a range of activities, trips and events. Inspectors saw people enjoying singing with a visiting choir.

“There was a daily activities programme in place at Polebank Hall and during our inspection a local choir visited the home to sing Christmas carols with people which both staff and people living at the home enjoyed.” from the report

The home had regular audits, staff meetings and handovers. Inspectors found that concerns from the previous inspection had been acted on.

“They informed us that these concerns had been acted upon immediately and we found this to be the case during the inspection.” from the report

One medication record was not signed for an inhaler on two days. One person's record also did not contain a photograph, which the manager said would be added.

“We found one MAR where the member of staff had not signed to say a person had used their inhaler on two days in November 2017.” from the report

Checks of the medicine fridge and treatment room had not been completed for three days before the inspection.

“Temperature checks were recorded for both the medicines fridge and treatment room, however we noted these were last completed three days (on the previous Friday) prior to our inspection.” from the report

For two people who needed extra calories, records did not always show the recommended snacks and drinks. Inspectors noted that only biscuits were being offered, although people's weight was stable.

“However, when we checked these people's food and fluid records, these were not always being documented by staff and only biscuits were being offered.” from the report

The manager said people's capacity was judged without formal assessments. Inspectors recommended using formal assessments so people's ability to make choices was fully recognised.

“This meant there could be a risk of not fully recognising people's abilities to make their own choices and decisions.” from the report

At the inspection, some applications still needed to be made. The manager later confirmed that all the identified applications had been submitted.

“The registered manager said they had identified the need to submit DoLS applications for a number of other people living at the home, although due to time constraints, had not yet done this.” from the report